Women's Golf 3rd After 1st Round of SMSU Invite

Francesca Perini is within a stroke of the lead, and the Buccaneers are third, seven strokes off the pace. Photo by Joel Auerbach

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Barry University's No. 7-ranked women's golf team is in third place after the first round of the Southwest Minnesota State Spring Invite Thursday.

The Buccaneers shot 322 on the par 72, 6,098-yard LPGA Legends Course, and sit a stroke behind second place Flagler. Lynn leads the tournament, seven strokes ahead of the Buccaneers. Indiana State is fourth at 331, and William Woods (Mo.) fifth at 332 in the 10-team field.

Barry sophomore Francesca Perini shot 5-over 77 in the opening round, and is a stroke behind leader Louise Manalo of Lynn. Perini is tied with Flagler's Marie Santacroce. Five players are tied for fourth, including Barry's Daniela Murray, who while playing as an individual, shot 79.

Buccaneers freshmen Nicky Ferre and Maria Paola Fiorio both shot 81, and are tied for 11th. Taylor Babcock shot 83, and is tied for 19th. Nancy Vergara, making her return after missing the past two spring events, shot 84, and is tied for 23rd in the 69-player field.

Lynn's Ellen Chambers, Indiana State's Amanda Smith and William Woods' Alejandra Ferrer and Myrian Hassan are all lumped in the tie for fourth with Murray after shooting 7-over in the first round.